Martin Elbourne

The Great Escape / Glastonbury Festival / Music Cities Convention

Martin first started promoting bands in the late seventies while at Bristol University. He founded the Bristol Recorder (label magazine).

In 1982 he co-promoted the first WOMAD festival with Peter Gabriel. In 1983 he moved to London, worked for the Rough Trade booking agency looking after acts including the Smiths and New Order and he began his long involvement with Glastonbury festival.

During the 1990’s he managed bands, continued working with New Order and increased his Glastonbury involvement to become the main booker. In the last decade his focus has been on festivals, events and conventions.

In 2005 he co founded the Great Escape and M for Montreal. With Stephen Budd and OML set up the NH7 festivals in India. In 2012-13 he spent a year as official 'Thinker in Residence' to South Australia...focusing on live music. 2015 he set up the Music Cities convention with Sound Diplomacy.